Few things in life exactly meet our expectations. It\u2019s rather amusing to realize that we typically view things from at least two perspectives. We have been given imaginations\u2014so we visualize how we think something will turn out and then we may experience a totally different outcome.<\/p>\n
I believe this is the case for many, many hopeful authors. They imagine one result and reality brings them something completely unexpected.<\/p>\n
Just what do most of us imagine is at the end of the publishing rainbow? Fame and fortune? We see ourselves chatting with Oprah, making appearances on the popular late night shows, going on tour to exotic places and having the luxury of time to write the sequel. People look up to authors\u2014authors are something special, after all. Once you\u2019re an author, your status among your peers\/colleagues\/friends will certainly shift to a higher level. Is this what you thought?<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the reality for most of us: Our first kick in the gut comes when our manuscript is rejected by our publishers of choice\u2014yes, rejected without reason or cause. From there, we might eventually pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and launch a Google search in hopes of finding a publisher\u2014any publisher\u2014who will soothe our pain by publishing our books. <\/p>\n
For countless hopeful authors, this means signing with the first pay-to-publish outfit that expresses an interest in their manuscripts. It feels pretty good, after all, to have someone validate you as an author and eagerly welcome the opportunity to publish your wonderful book. It\u2019s hard to walk away from this sort of perceived support. <\/p>\n
Not all authors go this direction, however. Some of them do their homework and realize that the pay-to-publish option isn\u2019t for them and they go on to self-publish their fabulous book.<\/p>\n
Still others may snub both of these options and keep looking for a traditional publisher. Those with patience and persistence may even land an appropriate small to medium-size publisher. Yeah!!<\/p>\n
Despite the differences in these three publishing choices, all of these authors will face a similar reality once they hold their newly published books in their hands. What\u2019s the reality? It is up to them\u2014the authors\u2014to promote and sell their books. And it is unlikely that they will be talking about their books on a major TV show, nor will they be touring far and wide to exciting places, unless it\u2019s of their own arrangement and at their own expense. As far as the time and space to write that sequel? Not likely anytime soon.<\/p>\n
So what is being an author all about? Those of you who have achieved \u201cauthor\u201d status, you know. I\u2019d love to have you pipe in with stories of your personal expectations and eventual reality check.<\/p>\n
Becoming an author is fairly easy. Today, you can just write a book\u2014any ole book\u2014and pay someone to publish it. But being a wildly (or even mildly) successful author is darn hard work. It means the following:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tUnderstanding the publishing industry.
\n\u2022\tBeing tuned-in to your particular target audience.
\n\u2022\tKnowing where your audience is and how to reach them.
\n\u2022\tHaving the wherewithal to promote to your audience.
\n\u2022\tUsing tons of creativity, effort, time and patience in promoting your book.
\n\u2022\tHand-selling each and every copy of your book.
\n\u2022\tRealizing that your book will sell only for as long as you promote it.<\/p>\n
When you review this list, it is certainly a far cry from what you expect (or expected) from authorship, isn\u2019t it? The thing is, writing is a craft\u2014a heart thing. Publishing is a business. If you are an author, you are in business. If you want copies of your book to sell, there is no getting around this fact. As an author, you wear many hats and all of them require a lot of hard work.<\/p>\n
When you read or hear that authorship is not for the timid or weak, believe it! <\/p>\n
Now, if you are an author who is struggling to make it, be sure to read two of my books\u2014my ebook, The Author\u2019s Repair Kit, Heal Your Publishing Mistakes and Breathe New Life Into Your Book<\/em><\/strong>. Also read, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book<\/em><\/strong>. This is a book you will want to keep on your desk at your elbow because you will refer to it often.<\/p>\n